In a nail-biting showdown at the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Tyrone secured their second Ulster U20 Football Championship in three years by narrowly defeating Derry – prevailing 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out after an intensely fought match that went into extra time. The match was closely contested with the teams tying on nine occasions and ending the regular time at 1-11 to 2-8.
Derry initially held a four-point advantage, however, a spirited comeback from Tyrone, marked by a third goal in extra time, turned the tables. Tyrone’s goalkeeper, Conor McAneney, was the star of the penalty shoot-out, by successfully blocking Derry’s first three penalty attempts. The decisive winning penalty shot was taken by Noah Grimes.
The eventful match saw its first goal scored by Johnny McGuckian, who skilfully finished a move set up by Ruairi Forbes and Danny McDermott. Tyrone quickly retaliated with a goal in the 12th minute by Shea O’Hare.
As the game continued, Derry maintained their aggressive gameplay with Forbes and McGuckin at the helm. Shea McCann furthered Derry’s lead with a spectacular shot from close to the sideline.
Before the first half came to its close, Tyrone came back with a second goal created by an excellent assist from midfielder O’Neill to Ruairi McCullagh, who found the back of the net. Despite promising opportunities, they missed further chances, at one point with Gavin Potter missing the target after being set up by goalkeeper Conor McAneney. However, by half-time, thanks to Ronan Walls’s equaliser, the teams were tied at 1-6 to 2-3.
Despite Derry taking the lead after the break, their efforts to maintain it were dashed with stellar defensive plays from Conall Heron and Conleth McGrogan.
Tyrone stepped up their attack, with Odhran Brolly and Cassidy scoring, enabling them to regain the lead prior to Eoin McElholm boosting their lead by two. The Oaks responded with Oisin Doherty’s third successful free shot taking them to the front, cliff-edges away from the end. The match swung back and forth, with McCullagh drawing both teams level for the ninth occasion, leading to extra-time at the 1-11 to 2-8 deadlock.
Tyrone were kept at bay by the impressive defences of Rory Small and Conleth McGrogan, allowing them only a single point. Derry took an emphatic lead at the end of the first extra time, as Ryan McNicholl netted a goal making the score 2-13 to 2-9 at half-time.
Just as the match seemed to change in Derry’s favor, substitute Ruairi McHugh struck a third goal for Tyrone shortly after resumption, throwing the thrilling match back in equilibrium. A fantastic equalising shot from Conor Owens led the way to a penalty shootout.
TYRONE: J Clarke, B Hughes, Conor Devlin, C McAneney; S O’Hare (1-0), M Rafferty, O Brolly (0-1); R Fox, C O’Neill (0-1); Cormac Devlin, E McElholm (0-3), G Potter; R McCullagh (1-2, 0-1f), R Cassidy (0-3, 1f), C Daly.
Subs: F Nelis replaced Conor Devlin (21), R McHugh (1-0) swapped for Brolly (42), P McCann took place of Fox (50), N Grimes for Cassidy (55), C Owens (0-1) in for O’Neill (70).
DERRY: F McEldowney, D McDermott (0-1), R Small, C Armstrong; C McGrogan (0-1), P McGurk, R Walls (0-1); R Forbes, C Heron; C Spiers, S McCann (0-2), J McGuckian (1-0); N O’Donnell (0-2), C Chambers, O Doherty (0-4, 3f).
Substitutions: R McNicholl replaced McCann during halftime, E Higgins took over from Spiers on the 36th minute, Chambers made way for R McGill at the 44th minute, D McPeake swapped in for Walls in the 55th minute, and at the 73rd minute, both T Rogers and F Donnelly entered the game, taking over from Heron and Rafferty respectively. The game was officiated by D Boylan hailing from Monaghan.